NAIA Schedule & Links, Games of the Day, Five Players to Watch: Feb. 8th

Monday, February 8th NAIA Games

Games of the Day:

Kansas Wesleyan @ Bethany 6pm CT Live Video

Big game from the KCAC Conference Tournament standpoint. As only 8 teams from the KCAC qualify for the conference tournament and both Kansas Wesleyan and Bethany are battling for that last spot. Bethany currently holds that final spot and is 2 games up on Kansas Wesleyan. However, they are just 1 game up on Friends and a loss tonight would mean they would be just 1 game up on Kansas Wesleyan as well. Should be an intense contest tonight!

Cornerstone @ RV Indiana Tech 7pm ET Live Video

These two seem to always have some fun battles. With both being 4-1 in the WHAC, it should lead to another fun matchup tonight. Christian Rodriguez and Cory Ainsworth have been great for Cornerstone. They will go up against a talented Indiana Tech Trio of Grant Smith, Rog Stein and Josh Kline. Going to be a fun one in the WHAC tonight!

6 Shawnee State @ 20 Thomas More 8pm ET Live Video

Shawnee comes into this one on a 17 game winning streak. Thomas More comes in limping a bit after a tough 1-2 week. This Shawnee team has it rolling, but Thomas More provides a tougher matchup then others with their offense. Thomas More is in need of a win and you expect them to show a lot of fight tonight. Reid Jolly and Ryan Batte will need to have big games for Thomas More to get themselves a huge MSC win!

Five Players To Watch

– 20th in the NAIA in PPG with 21.462

– 42nd in APG with 4.53

The Freshman has been spectacular for the Wildcats. He had his coming out party against William Penn in his 1st game of the year with a 28pt performance. He didn’t play in their last game, so something to watch for to see if he is back or not, but this is a very young Culver team that has shown a lot of fight in a lot of close losses this season. Fry is going to be fun to watch over the next 4-5 years in his NAIA career!

– 50th in the NAIA in FG% at 56.5%

This UPike team spreads the wealth around a bit, but Malcolm has been really good this year for the Bears. He is coming off of back to back 20pt outings over #6 Shawnee State and #20 Thomas More.

– 8th in the NAIA in PPG with 23.6, Leads the Heart of America

– 16th in the NAIA in 3FGM per game with 3.4

– 38th in the NAIA in 3pt FG Made

– 45th in the NAIA in points scored

– 46th in the NAIA in BPG with 1.33

We can’t express enough how great of a run McKinney is on right now. Seven straight games of 20+ points. He has the ultra green light in that offense and has made it pay off for himself. He has averaged over 10 3pt attempts per game during the last 7 games. He is coming off one of his worst 3pt shooting efforts of the season though. Look for him to have a big bounce back game tonight!

– 1st in the NAIA in BPG with 4.17

– 1st in the NAIA in Total Blocks

– 17th in the NAIA in Total Points

– 20th in the NAIA in Total Rebounds

– 22nd in the NAIA in FG% at 61.4%

– 44th in the NAIA in 3FG% at 46.4%

EJ has established himself as the best BIG in the NAIA. He has been dominant this year on both ends of the floor. His offensive skillset has vastly improved and he is hitting 3’s at a great consistency right now. He is a big reason that Shawnee has won 17 straight!

– 12th in the NAIA in FG% at 65.2%

– 34th in the NAIA in BPG at 1.5

– 9th in the WHAC in scoring at 14.1ppg

Ainsworth is coming off of a WHAC All-Freshman Team season. As a Sophomore he has looked good once again as he leads the Golden Eagles in scoring. Should be a fun matchup tonight against a good Indiana Tech Frontcourt.